Interview with John Wilkinson, general manager
Q: How did you get involved in this business?
A: I have been working in the car wash industry for more than 15 years. I was introduced to this business while working in sales and marketing with a large oil company. We operated convenience stores and started developing new locations incorporating car washes with each location. I was given an opportunity with Car Wash Express to come on as a general manager, helping them develop the Northglenn location into the premier car wash in the area. We now have five locations throughout metro Denver in Broomfield, Highlands Ranch, Centennial and Aurora, as well as Grand Junction and a new location soon to open at Sixth Avenue and Santa Fe Drive in Denver.
Q: What distinguishes you from other businesses in your category?
A: Our commitment to customer service as well as providing the quickest, most convenient car washing experience. We are committed to having the best-trained car care advisors by providing an extensive and ongoing training program for all of our employees. Also, we are committed to our communities by hosting fundraisers for local community groups and schools in our areas. Most recently, we have partnered with the Denver Broncos and are the official car wash of the Denver Broncos.
Q: What do you like best about your line of work?
A: I really enjoy the interaction with our customers. I like that we provide a service that is so satisfying to both our customers and our people that work at each of our locations. We all seem to have a love affair with our vehicles and it is great we can provide a service for them.
Q: What is your business’ biggest challenge?
A: The biggest challenge is keeping up with the technological changes within our industry. We like to be at the forefront of implementing these new technologies. In most cases, it helps us continue to provide state-of-the-art features that keep us ahead of the competition and show our continued commitment to providing the best wash experience.
Q: Something people might be surprised to learn about you or your business:
A: The one thing I would say that surprises people is how environmentally friendly we are. We are committed to conserving water. We recycle about 80 percent of our water. Also, the discharge water from our facilities is sent through the sanitary sewer systems where it returns to water treatment facilities to be treated and used as non-potable irrigation water or released clean back into streams and rivers. Home washing directly impacts the environment in a negative manner because all the contaminates that are being washed off the vehicle are sent into storm drains, then rivers, streams and lakes, without any type of treatment.
Profile
Business: Car Wash Express
Address: 2295 E. 120th Ave. Northglenn
Hours: 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday
Founded: 2001
Contact: 720-881-2655, ,
Employees: 50
